Round-up: Top cricket news of the day

We are back with the top cricket news of the day. We must admit that while the events that took place on Wednesday had set the standards really high, news coming in today (on Thursday) from all four directions haven’t disappointed us either.

Today’s events include the aftermath of Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul’s ‘sexist’ comments on ‘Koffee with Karan’, the Australian cricket team, their thoughts on MS Dhoni, their plans for the upcoming ODI series against India, and some stories that were unearthed from India’s recent test series win against Australia. Let’s get right into it!

1. Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul to likely get suspended

In respect to the comments made by these two ‘cool youngsters’ on the talk-show ‘Koffee with Karan’, BCCI had slapped them with show-cause notices, demanding from them a proper explanation for their ‘crass’ statements.

It was being reported that regardless of how teary-eyed KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya might get while pleading guilty for the said offence, the BCCI was going to penalise them. Only, the quantum of the punishment for bringing disrepute to Indian cricket hasn’t been decided as of yet.

Member of the Committee of Administrators (CoA), Vinod Rai, talked about giving the duo a two-match suspension, in a statement, “I have seen the remarks made by these two players on the show in print today. Very crass. No apology can cover it. I had asked Diana to suggest penalty because I had not seen the clip. I think we need to give both of them a two-match suspension.”

Two-match suspension, or maybe two orientation classes on gender sensitization?

The head coach of the Indian team, Ravi Shastri, can be said to be the proudest man behind India’s recent and historic Test series win in Australia. So proud, that the 56-year-old decided to rank it right up in the hall of fame, along with India’s historic wins of the 1983 World Cup and 1985 World Championship of Cricket.

Ravi Shastri explained his statement in a press conference following India’s Test series win and said, “I will tell you how satisfying it is for me. World Cup 1983, World Championship of Cricket 1985 – this is as big, or even bigger because it is in the truest (Test) format of the game. It’s Test cricket, which is meant to be the toughest.”

“This is the purest form of cricket. A 71-year-old barrier has been broken and accolades flowing from all over the world – from the likes of Imran Khan or Viv Richards – say it all. Those who’ve played cricket in Australia know what it takes to win here. They’re as tough as an opposition can get and nothing comes easy here. Of course, the 1983 World Cup glory is right up there and so was 1985. But I do stand by what I said — this is pure joy, this is real cricket.”

That’s quite selfless a comment coming from Ravi Shastri, especially after considering the fact that he was named the Man of the Series in the 1985 World Championship.

What a guy!

3. Australia to wear retro jerseys for ODI series against India

India and Australia are going to kick-start their ODI series on 12th January, 2019. On one hand, the Indian fans are hoping for another series win against Australia. And on the other hand, Australia are trying to come up with ways in which they could dominate India.

For example, wearing retro jerseys to confuse the Indian team, maybe?

Win or not, it is going to be one heck of an experience for the Aussies. At least that’s what they say. The jerseys will be inspired from the 1980s’ era, when the Australian squad was led by Allan Border.

Veteran Aussie pacer Peter Siddle chipped in a few words to express his excitement and said, “It’s pretty awesome actually. We found out the other day we were going to be in it, so the boys were a bit excited to get their pack and open up and check it out.”

“I might just pull out the headband. I’ll have to ask Zamps (Adam Zampa) to borrow one of his and go with the DK (Lillee) headband. We’ll see what we pull out on Saturday.”

4. Australian team showers praises on MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni has been selected for the India ODI squad that will play against Australia in a three-match ODI series from 12 to 18 January, 2019. And what has triggered an emotional outburst from his fans (including the Australian team) is the fact that this series could probably be Dhoni’s last in Australia.

Commenting on MS Dhoni’s cricket and his coveted and illustrious career, the Aussie cricketers spoke quite a few heart-warming words.

Tim Paine, who was captaining the Australian side in the Test series, said, “I think he is one of the best wicketkeeper-batsmen to ever play the game.”

“What I do love about watching him play, whether he is batting or keeping and captaining, he keeps things very simple.”

“You’ve seen him winning IPL tournaments, World Cups, Test matches, incredible victories, and he just picks up the stump and walks off (like) nothing happened. Winning games from impossible positions and he just seems like the most level, calm captain when he’s captaining, just play, nothing seems too big a deal, and just can pull things out of his hat like no one else.”

Indian fans will be able to relate to Tim Paine. I mean, we too love these things about MS Dhoni, don’t we?